5 Signs It’s Time to Clean Your Air Ducts

It’s nice to take a deep breath of fresh air, but those dirty air ducts could make your home stuffy, dusty and smelly. For the most part, your air ducts probably go unnoticed, but if you are experiencing one or more of these seven signs it’s time to get them cleaned.

Sign 1: You’re fighting stubborn smells

Gross, what’s that smell? It might be mold, mildew, smoke or a dead animal.

If you or a previous owner smoked in the home, the fumes can be pulled into the evaporator coil. The odor permeates the coil and air blasts into your home every time you run your HVAC.

A rotten garbage smell is a sign you might have a dead animal somewhere decomposing in your ventilation. It might be a mouse who crawled in for warmth or an injured bird that made it’s home inside.

Mildew and mold can build up in a venting system because it is a moist and dark area making it conducive for growth. Even a dirty filter can grow mold. If you are smelling mildew or standing water, it’s time to clean the vents.

Sign 2: Dust is clearly visible.

Open the vent covers and peek inside. Do you see matted dust and debris piling up? If so, then it is time to call out the professionals to clean inside the system. If it is dirty where you can see, then it is definitely dirty beyond your line of sight.

Sign 3: Your allergies are persistent.

Are you tired of sneezing? Maybe you are waking up every morning with itchy eyes and a sore throat. It could just be run-of-the-mill seasonal allergies. However, your air ducts could be the real problem.

If allergy season comes and goes, but your allergies are still working overtime, then it might be time to clean your air ducts. The vents might have collected all the allergens and distributes it every time you run your air.

Sign 4: You have a pet.

Your furry family member is tough on air ducts. Excessive shedding and dander can quickly clog up your filters and line your air ducts.

If they like to go out a lot, they can bring the outside indoors which also adds to the mess. If you have friends or family with pet allergies, it may be a good idea to have your air ducts cleaned out to help alleviate any symptoms due to your furry friend.

Sign 5: You haven’t done it before.

How long has it been since you cleaned your air ducts? If you’ve lived in your home for 20 years and can’t answer the question, then it might be time to clean them.

Dirt and dust will limit the efficiency of heating and air-conditioning units. In addition to making the units work harder and potentially limiting their lifespan, you could also be increasing your electric bills each month.

The best way to keep your air ducts clean moving forward is to use high-quality filters and change them often. The filters will always be your first line of defense.

The Environmental Protection Agency doesn’t suggest there are any health hazards stemming from mild dust accumulation in the duct. However, the EPA does recommend cleaning air ducts if there is a mold growth problem or any evidence of a rodent or insect infestation.

Do you need to clean your air ducts, but you don’t have the time or the tools? Give us a call at (405) 329-8999 Sooner Carpet Cleaning, and we’d be happy to help you with the job.